National Parks and Reserves

Mount Kaputar National Park

Mount Kaputar National Park is a rugged island of wilderness, towering high above the surrounding Western Plains. It is the foot print left behind by a series of volcanic eruptions that moved across this area between 17 and 21 million years ago.

The back-gateway to the summit of Mt Kaputar can be reached by travelling 45kms west from Barraba, and along the Barraba Track (4WD only) which passes through some of the most westerly rainforest in the state, before reaching an altitude of 1510m at the summit.

The park protects a wide variety of plant communities including semi-arid woodlands, wet eucalypt forests and sub alpine heaths. it also has a host of animal species and provides a haven for many threatened species including bats, birds, wallabies, qualls and the unique large pink slug.

Sawn Rocks is a 40 metre basalt cliff face featuring perpendicular-octagonal shaped rocks, resembling a giant series of organ pipes. Over thousands of years, some of the enormous slabs of rock have fallen to the bed of Bobiwaa Creek below, resembling the crumbled pillars of an ancient or roman temple. Torrents of water over the ensuring years have eroded away the loose dirt exposing Sawn Rocks. Amongst the clear rock pools and the smooth rock bed of the creek at the base of the formation, that the rock is fractured into octagonal shapes identical to the cliff face. It is believed that these plunge a further 60 metres into the earth below. Geologists attribute the formation to the fast cooling of the upper layers of molton rock following the fiery upheaval caused by volcanic activity 21 million years ago.

A 900 metre walking track offers a 10 minute stroll, through tall eucalypts, morton bay figs, wattles and many varieties of delicate ferns. The upper reaches of the creek reveal a fascinating scene of clear rock pools, horizontal polygonal rocks and some superb plants and trees. To access Sawn Rocks you must travel to the northern end of Kaputar National Park. Head north west from Barraba, through Cobbadah, Upper Horton and Rocky Creek, then west along the Narrabri Bingara Road until you reach the Sawn Rocks car park.

Horton Falls can be found just off the Barraba Track, and makes quite a splash plummeting 83m to the valley floor. Why not take the challenge of walking to the rock pools below or have a picnic and a swim at the Top Falls?

Just 38km to the west of Barraba on the road to Kaputar National Park, you can walk to the top of the falls from the car park in around 10 minutes, which provides spectacular views during wet periods, but it can dry up over extended dry times.

There are two great vantage points to see the falls. There are picnic and BBQ facilities available plus there are bush camping areas.

For a taste of the truly majestic, the unique 290 million-year-old Rocky Creek Glacial Area is yet another geological wonder to explore.

To get there, head north out of Barraba, turn left at Cobbadah, head through Upper Horton, and continue to Rocky Creek, At the Narrabri Bingara Road turn left until you reach the Glacial Area a short way on your right.

Split Rock Dam is situated 31km from Barraba on the Manilla River. The purpose of the dam is to provide irrigation water to the Namoi Valley, to safeguard the river environment and to supply additional water for towns along the Namoi. The storage capacity of the dam is 397 370 mega litres.

The reserve is very popular spot for camping, fishing and boating. The fish species include Golden Perch, Black Bream, Jew Fish and the prized Murray Cod.

The Facilities available is angling, camping, boating and water sports. The park can be accessed at all times and entry is free. For fishing you will need an Inland Fishing licence.

Glenriddle Reserve

Glenriddle Reserve is set in the northern reaches of Split Rock Dam, 15 km south of Barraba and roughly 100 km north of Tamworth on the Fossickers Way.

The dam is popular with fishing and boating aficionados, and the Barraba region is a well-known birdwatching region. Bring firewood and drinking water.

You can reach the reserve camping area via Crow Mountain Rd at the Black Springs turn-off on Fossickers Way.

It is well known for its great fishing and there are plenty of fish species to catch including Murray Cod, Golden & Silver Perch as well as Eel-tailed catfish.